Quick-break switch



vUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLARENCE D. PLATT, 0F BRIDGEPGR-T, CONNECTICUT.

Switch, :of which the' following is a speciiicav tion.

VMy present invention relates to switches of the so-called quick break type and one of the primary objects of the invention is to` provide asimple and easilyy assembled form of quick break connection between themovi 4able switch element and the operating member therefor.

Briefly, the invention comprises 'a link construction between the operating member and the movable switch member, having a lost motion engagement at one end with one of Ysaid members and having a connection at its opposite end with the other member, which is engageable with said member only in an abnormal relation of the parts, whereby the parts may be engaged in this abnormal relation and thereafter will remain properly connected during operation of the switch. A spring is provided for imparting a snap movement to the movable switch element and this spring is usually andz'preferably con-Q nected between the operating member `and the connecting link.

In the accompanying drawing, I have -illustrated the invention embodied Ain one of its practical commercial forms, but would have it understood that the same is susceptibleJ of various modifications and changes without departure from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view showing the invention applied to a so-called inclosed switch.

Fig. 2 is broken section of thesame taken substantially on the plane of the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3, is a similar, view illustrating the manner in which the parts are assembled.

Fig. 4, is a broken perspective View of the cross bar and link.

The switch illustrated is of the knife blade type, embodying a pair of switch blades 5' pivoted on hinge posts 6 for engaging relatively stationary contacts 7, said parts being all mounted on a suitable base 8.

` The movable switch blades are connected Patented J an. 11, 1921.

Application led May 12, 1919. Serial No. 296,315.

in parallelism by a cross bar 9, shown as a relatively flat bar of insulating material.v This cross bar at a point intermediate its .ends 1s shown as provided with notches 10 in itsv opposite edges, leaving an intermediate reduced portion 11. 12 designates the operating member which in the present case is in the form of a rock` ing arm pivoted at 13 in the box' Ui in which the switch is mounted. The pivot of the switch operating member is substantiaily concentric with the hinge oi the switch blades.

15 designates the link connecting the erating member with the movable switch element. In the present disclosure this link is formed at one end with a longitudinal slot 16 receiving the operating arm and pro viding a lost motion connection between arm and link, and at its opposite end with a bearing 17 having a narrow opening 18 through the edge of the link. The iargest diameter of the open bearing is slightly greater than the reduced portion l1 o1 the cross bar, and the throat 18 opening into the bearing is slightly greater than the thickness of the cross bar. The throat i8 is provided at the lower side of the link, so that the parts cannot become disengaged in the normal operation of the switch.

In assemblingthe parts, the operating member is usually first mounted in 'the box and the switch is then secured in the bottom of the. box. Engagement of the cross with the operating link may be effected, indicated in Fig. 3, by partially opening the switch and passingthe cross bar dat-wise into the open bearing in the link and then turning the switch bodily vdown into its inai position. The parts are thus engaged while in an abnormal position and upon being' brought into normal.A position interlock to form a firm connection.

19 designates the spring which imparts the final snap movement to the switch blades. This spring is shown. connected at drawn'back, the operating arm will iii u move in the slot 16 to take up the lost me tion; and to place the quick break sprl/ng under tension, Thereafter in the continu d (Sli '-10 in the opposite edges of the link. The

V matter, but at the same ltime providing a' Sli link is thus guide.' on the cross bar andprevented from binding or interfering with the free action of the parts. If it should become necessary at any time to remove the switch, this can easily be don'eby simply reversing the operation'described above,the

detachable connection between the 'link andv movable switch element making this ani-easy positiveconnection between the' parts in their normal operating posltlons.

The freely rocking connection between the link 15 and the cross bar 9 insures smooth operation even if the pivot 13 of the operating member is considerably eccentric to the switch blade pivots. This construction also allows considerable variation in regard to of the parts suchas the placthe assemblin ing of the switch in the box.

p claim: l. In an electric switch, the combination of pivoted switch blades, a cross bar connecting the same and provided with notches in its opposite edges, an operating member for said switch, a link havmg a lost motion engagement with said member at one end and provided near its opposite end with an ope'n bearing engageable over the notched portion of the cross bar, said link when thus engaged with the cross bar having portions fitting in the notches in the opposite sides of the cross bar so as to be guided thereby, and a spring connected between the o erating member and the opposite end portion of the link.

2. The combination of a switch box, an operating crank pivotally' carried thereby and having a cross bar, ay switch unit including an insulating base, switch contacts carried by said base, hinged blades carried by said base and adapted to co-act with said contacts, a cross bar connecting said blades, a link connected to one ot said cross bars, and means oli connection between said link and the other cross bar permitting said link to be connected to said cross bar by a manual operation when the switch unit is being in-.

sei-ted into said box and preventing disconnection of the link from said cross bar when the switch unit is secured in its normal operative position in the box.

3. The combination ot a switch box, an

. connecting gated c1 oss-section,

operating 'crank pivotally carried thereb and having a cross bar, a4 swltoh unit inclu ing an insulating base, switch contacts car ried by said base, hinged blades carried by said base and adapted to co-act with said contacts, a cross bar connecting said blades,

In an inclosed switch, a box, a switch operating crank secured to said box, a lmk on said operating crank, a switch consisting of a base, contacts, blades and a. cross bar connecting said blades, and interengaging means appartenant to said link connectin part and said cross bar whereby the said lin and cross bar may be operably connected whenA engaged in an abnormal positionand will beprevented from disengagement when the swltch is secured in the box in a, normally operable position.

5. The combination of a switch box, an operating crank pivotally carried thereby, a switch unit including an insulating base, switch contacts, and a hingedl blade all mounted on the insulating base, a link having a loose connection with the operating crank, and special means of connection between said link and said mitting said switch to said link by a manual operation in the act of inserting the switch unit in the box, and preventing disconnection of the link from the switch blade when the switch unit is secured in place in the box. A

6. In an electric switch, the combination of pivoted switch blades, a cross bar connecting the same and provided with notches in its opposite edges, an operating member for the pivotedswitch blades, and' a link connected at one end with said operating member and provided near its opposite end with anilppen bearing engageable over the notched,` portion of the cross bar and said link w n thus engaged with the cross bar having ,portions iitting in the notches in the switch blade, peroppositel sides of the cross bar so as to be guided thereby. l

.Y In' an electric switch, the combination of pivoted switch blades, a cross bar connecting thelsame, and having a portion of elonan operating member for part within the box and mounted y blade to be connected said switch, a link loosely connected to said operating member, and provided at its opposite end with a bearing slot havmg a contracted entrance adapted to receive the' elongated section of the cross bar, and means to? 'gm-eventng lateral displacement ot Said .link on said el'oss bar.

S. an electric` switch, the combination of pwoted Switch blades, :t cx'oss bar connect` lng the same, and. having n portion of elongated erosseetnn, un operating member for seid switch, n Alink loosely connected to said @panting member7 and provided at its 0p- 'ng said operating member and said link.

CLARENCE D. PLATT. 

